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After four years in hiding to arrest prosecution, a former Lakeport resident has been arrested on charges that he allegedly sexually assaulted two girls.

Dustin Graham Powell, 26, was arrested Thursday in Lane County, Ore., in connection with the 2004 case, according to Lt. Brad Rasmussen of the Lakeport Police Department.

Rasmussen reported that in 2004 police first investigated the case of two female juveniles who had been sexually assaulted, allegedly by Powell, with whom police had other previous contacts, though not for this type of offense.

The girls, ages 13 and 15 at the time of the assault, are cousins, said Rasmussen. Powell was an acquaintance of the girls’ families, which is how he was able to get close to them.

Following a complete investigation of the incident, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office filed felony sexual assault charges against Powell and an arrest warrant was issued in the amount of $20,000, said Rasmussen.

The charges filed against Powell included one count of unlawful or lewd acts with a minor child under the age of 14, two counts of rape by intoxication or a controlled substance, and one count of penetration when the victim is under 16 years of age and the perpetrator is over the age of 21.

Based on the facts of the case, Rasmussen said Lakeport Police considers it particularly egregious.

“This is a case where he specifically took advantage and preyed on the two girls,” Rasmussen said.

Before investigators could arrest Powell, he is believed to have fled Lake County to Oregon, where he’s been hiding out to avoid prosecution ever since, according to Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Lakeport Police investigators have worked with law enforcement agencies in Oregon in an effort to locate Powell.

The Oregon State Police arrested Powell without incident on Thursday after receiving information on his whereabouts.

Because of his previous effort to escape prosecution, Lakeport Police investigators believed the original bail of $20,000 was not sufficient to secure his appearance, said Rasmussen.

As a result, on Friday Rasmussen said Det. Norm Taylor presented a Lake County Superior Court Judge with an application for increased bail and Powell’s bail was ordered increased to $250,000.

Powell is being held in the Lane County Oregon Correctional Facility pending extradition

to Lake County. Rasmussen said Lakeport Police is waiting to hear about when he will be brought back to Lake County, and hope to have more information on Monday.

Rasmussen said that, before Powell is brought back, he must make a court appearance in Oregon and be informed of his rights relating to extradition to California.

“If he makes an effort to fight extradition it could hold it up for a while,” Rasmussen said.

After four years in hiding to arrest prosecution, a former Lakeport resident has been arrested on charges that he allegedly sexually assaulted two girls.

Dustin Graham Powell, 26, was arrested Thursday in Lane County, Ore., in connection with the 2004 case, according to Lt. Brad Rasmussen of the Lakeport Police Department.

Rasmussen reported that in 2004 police first investigated the case of two female juveniles who had been sexually assaulted, allegedly by Powell, with whom police had other previous contacts, though not for this type of offense.

The girls, ages 13 and 15 at the time of the assault, are cousins, said Rasmussen. Powell was an acquaintance of the girls’ families, which is how he was able to get close to them.

Following a complete investigation of the incident, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office filed felony sexual assault charges against Powell and an arrest warrant was issued in the amount of $20,000, said Rasmussen.

The charges filed against Powell included one count of unlawful or lewd acts with a minor child under the age of 14, two counts of rape by intoxication or a controlled substance, and one count of penetration when the victim is under 16 years of age and the perpetrator is over the age of 21.

Based on the facts of the case, Rasmussen said Lakeport Police considers it particularly egregious.

“This is a case where he specifically took advantage and preyed on the two girls,” Rasmussen said.

Before investigators could arrest Powell, he is believed to have fled Lake County to Oregon, where he’s been hiding out to avoid prosecution ever since, according to Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Lakeport Police investigators have worked with law enforcement agencies in Oregon in an effort to locate Powell.

The Oregon State Police arrested Powell without incident on Thursday after receiving information on his whereabouts.

Because of his previous effort to escape prosecution, Lakeport Police investigators believed the original bail of $20,000 was not sufficient to secure his appearance, said Rasmussen.

As a result, on Friday Rasmussen said Det. Norm Taylor presented a Lake County Superior Court Judge with an application for increased bail and Powell’s bail was ordered increased to $250,000.

Powell is being held in the Lane County Oregon Correctional Facility pending extradition

to Lake County. Rasmussen said Lakeport Police is waiting to hear about when he will be brought back to Lake County, and hope to have more information on Monday.

Rasmussen said that, before Powell is brought back, he must make a court appearance in Oregon and be informed of his rights relating to extradition to California.

“If he makes an effort to fight extradition it could hold it up for a while,” Rasmussen said.

Norman has convictions for child molestation in Illinois in 1976 and Colorado in 1988. Additionally, he has been convicted twice in California for distribution of child pornography in 1995 and 1998. His victims were all young males, ages 11-17.

A judge approved a placement site Thursday in the backcountry community of Boulevard for an 81-year-old man classified as a sexually violent predator.

John David Norman, who has been approved for release from a state mental hospital, will be allowed to live under supervision in a home at 1643 Jewel Valley Road.

At the end of a public hearing, Superior Court Judge David M. Gill ruled that the site was appropriate. He directed authorities to release Norman, who is currently being held at a county jail in Otay Mesa, on or before Nov. 15.

Gill noted that Norman would be watched closely by Liberty Healthcare, the corporation contracted by the state to monitor sex offenders, and that he suffers from chronic physical and physiological problems.

The judge said he read numerous letters and e-mails from members of the rural East County community who opposed the site, proposed last month by the state Department of Mental Health. He heard comments Thursday from a few of about 30 people present at the hearing.

Most of them expressed concerns not only about their families’ safety, but also Norman’s safety. They talked about the remoteness of the community and lack of infrastructure, which lengthens response times for law enforcement and emergency services.

Ken Daubach, a volunteer firefighter from Boulevard, said it can take 10 minutes or longer to respond to a call.

Others noted the extreme weather. They said that if power is shut off because of high winds, it would probably disable air conditioners, cell phones and the satellite tracking device Norman will be required to wear.

And, of course, there are rattlesnakes.

“We don’t go looking for them, that’s for sure, but they do come right up to the house,” said resident Pat Stuart.

Lorelei Howard, who lives next to the property where Norman will live, showed photos of her grandchildren who visit and play in the area. Outside the courtroom, she said she was afraid Boulevard will become “a dumping ground for anything San Diego doesn’t want to deal with.”

State law allows people deemed to be sexually violent predators, or SVPs, to be committed to a state hospital after they have served time in prison. If they complete a lengthy treatment program at the hospital, they may be released under heavy supervision.

An SVP is someone who has been convicted of a violent sex crime – such as rape, sexual assault or child molestation – and diagnosed as having a mental disorder such as schizophrenia or pedophilia.

Norman has a history of sexually assaulting and exploiting children dating back to 1960 in Los Angeles.

Jayne Shale, executive director of Liberty Healthcare, said the agency looked at 1,000 sites before choosing the house in Boulevard. She noted that the passage of Jessica’s Law has made it more difficult to find areas where sex offenders who are released from custody can live.

“We have to go to areas that are rural,” Shale said.

The location is 59 miles from downtown San Diego and 38 miles from El Centro, according to the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force, a multiagency group that monitors sex offenders.

The residence sits on eight acres, about two miles from an elementary school and three miles from a child care center. There are no parks, recreation centers or youth-oriented businesses within a two-mile radius.

“I am very outraged,” said Amy Massa, a Boulevard resident, after the hearing. “It’s not just about the safety of the children, it’s the safety of everyone.”

“Sexually violent predators are manipulative,” Massa told reporters, expressing concern for children who might have no fear approaching the older man.

Norman has convictions for child molestation in Illinois in 1976 and Colorado in 1988. Additionally, he has been convicted twice in California for distribution of child pornography in 1995 and 1998. His victims were all young males, ages 11-17.

There are seven former sexually violent predators in San Diego County and one current SVP on outpatient supervision.Earlier this year, sexually violent predator Gary Snavely and another SVP were placed in a home in Jacumba. Snavely had his outpatient status revoked and was sent back to a state mental hospital for more treatment.

Norman has convictions for child molestation in Illinois in 1976 and Colorado in 1988. Additionally, he has been convicted twice in California for distribution of child pornography in 1995 and 1998. His victims were all young males, ages 11-17.

A judge approved a placement site Thursday in the backcountry community of Boulevard for an 81-year-old man classified as a sexually violent predator.

John David Norman, who has been approved for release from a state mental hospital, will be allowed to live under supervision in a home at 1643 Jewel Valley Road.

At the end of a public hearing, Superior Court Judge David M. Gill ruled that the site was appropriate. He directed authorities to release Norman, who is currently being held at a county jail in Otay Mesa, on or before Nov. 15.

Gill noted that Norman would be watched closely by Liberty Healthcare, the corporation contracted by the state to monitor sex offenders, and that he suffers from chronic physical and physiological problems.

The judge said he read numerous letters and e-mails from members of the rural East County community who opposed the site, proposed last month by the state Department of Mental Health. He heard comments Thursday from a few of about 30 people present at the hearing.

Most of them expressed concerns not only about their families’ safety, but also Norman’s safety. They talked about the remoteness of the community and lack of infrastructure, which lengthens response times for law enforcement and emergency services.

Ken Daubach, a volunteer firefighter from Boulevard, said it can take 10 minutes or longer to respond to a call.

Others noted the extreme weather. They said that if power is shut off because of high winds, it would probably disable air conditioners, cell phones and the satellite tracking device Norman will be required to wear.

And, of course, there are rattlesnakes.

“We don’t go looking for them, that’s for sure, but they do come right up to the house,” said resident Pat Stuart.

Lorelei Howard, who lives next to the property where Norman will live, showed photos of her grandchildren who visit and play in the area. Outside the courtroom, she said she was afraid Boulevard will become “a dumping ground for anything San Diego doesn’t want to deal with.”

State law allows people deemed to be sexually violent predators, or SVPs, to be committed to a state hospital after they have served time in prison. If they complete a lengthy treatment program at the hospital, they may be released under heavy supervision.

An SVP is someone who has been convicted of a violent sex crime – such as rape, sexual assault or child molestation – and diagnosed as having a mental disorder such as schizophrenia or pedophilia.

Norman has a history of sexually assaulting and exploiting children dating back to 1960 in Los Angeles.

Jayne Shale, executive director of Liberty Healthcare, said the agency looked at 1,000 sites before choosing the house in Boulevard. She noted that the passage of Jessica’s Law has made it more difficult to find areas where sex offenders who are released from custody can live.

“We have to go to areas that are rural,” Shale said.

The location is 59 miles from downtown San Diego and 38 miles from El Centro, according to the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force, a multiagency group that monitors sex offenders.

The residence sits on eight acres, about two miles from an elementary school and three miles from a child care center. There are no parks, recreation centers or youth-oriented businesses within a two-mile radius.

“I am very outraged,” said Amy Massa, a Boulevard resident, after the hearing. “It’s not just about the safety of the children, it’s the safety of everyone.”

“Sexually violent predators are manipulative,” Massa told reporters, expressing concern for children who might have no fear approaching the older man.

Norman has convictions for child molestation in Illinois in 1976 and Colorado in 1988. Additionally, he has been convicted twice in California for distribution of child pornography in 1995 and 1998. His victims were all young males, ages 11-17.

There are seven former sexually violent predators in San Diego County and one current SVP on outpatient supervision.Earlier this year, sexually violent predator Gary Snavely and another SVP were placed in a home in Jacumba. Snavely had his outpatient status revoked and was sent back to a state mental hospital for more treatment.

A 38-year-old Richmond man who parked his truck in a San Pablo strip mall lot while his wife went shopping has been charged with molesting a 10-year-old girl inside the vehicle.

The incident was interrupted by a parking enforcement officer, police said.

Nicholas Guzman, aka Jose Jesus Quintero, was arraigned Thursday morning in a Richmond courtroom, where Judge Peter Berger set his bail at $100,000, according to a court clerk. He is scheduled to return to court Nov. 6 for plea entry.

Guzman was naked in the bed of a covered truck with the child when San Pablo police aide Johanna Gray discovered him about 7 p.m. Oct. 24, said Sgt. David Krastof. The girl’s clothes had been partially removed, the sergeant said.

Gray had been conducting parking enforcement at the San Pablo Avenue strip mall containing FoodMaxx and Big Lots when she spotted the truck parked next to a store, away from where the general public parks.

“She (Gray) got their just in time,” Krastof said.

A medical evaluation determined the girl had not been raped, he said.

Gray took custody of the child and ordered Guzman to wait while she summoned police officers. Guzman hurried off despite the order, but was quickly located with the help of his wife, who had been shopping at the strip mall during the molestation, Krastof said.

The girl was an acquaintance of Guzman’s and had gone to the shopping center with the couple. She was taken to the Contra Costa Regional Center after the incident and was reunited with her family.

A 38-year-old Richmond man who parked his truck in a San Pablo strip mall lot while his wife went shopping has been charged with molesting a 10-year-old girl inside the vehicle.

The incident was interrupted by a parking enforcement officer, police said.

Nicholas Guzman, aka Jose Jesus Quintero, was arraigned Thursday morning in a Richmond courtroom, where Judge Peter Berger set his bail at $100,000, according to a court clerk. He is scheduled to return to court Nov. 6 for plea entry.

Guzman was naked in the bed of a covered truck with the child when San Pablo police aide Johanna Gray discovered him about 7 p.m. Oct. 24, said Sgt. David Krastof. The girl’s clothes had been partially removed, the sergeant said.

Gray had been conducting parking enforcement at the San Pablo Avenue strip mall containing FoodMaxx and Big Lots when she spotted the truck parked next to a store, away from where the general public parks.

“She (Gray) got their just in time,” Krastof said.

A medical evaluation determined the girl had not been raped, he said.

Gray took custody of the child and ordered Guzman to wait while she summoned police officers. Guzman hurried off despite the order, but was quickly located with the help of his wife, who had been shopping at the strip mall during the molestation, Krastof said.

The girl was an acquaintance of Guzman’s and had gone to the shopping center with the couple. She was taken to the Contra Costa Regional Center after the incident and was reunited with her family.

A registered sex offender who police said had sex with a minor over a period of four years has again been charged with sexual assault.

John F. DeGray, 56, of Fairway Drive, East Windsor, was arrested on a warrant charging him with five counts of first-degree sexual assault, four counts of second-degree sexual assault, and three counts of fourth-degree sex assault. He also was charged with 12 counts of impairing the morals of a minor, police said.

The girl was under 14 at the time of the assault, police said.

DeGray, who is a registered sex offender since July 8, 2002, was picked up by state police in Bridgeport. His registration was triggered by his Aug. 7, 1992 conviction on a charge of fourth-degree sexual assault, police said.

DeGray’s bail was set at $200,000. He is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Enfield Thursday

A registered sex offender who police said had sex with a minor over a period of four years has again been charged with sexual assault.

John F. DeGray, 56, of Fairway Drive, East Windsor, was arrested on a warrant charging him with five counts of first-degree sexual assault, four counts of second-degree sexual assault, and three counts of fourth-degree sex assault. He also was charged with 12 counts of impairing the morals of a minor, police said.

The girl was under 14 at the time of the assault, police said.

DeGray, who is a registered sex offender since July 8, 2002, was picked up by state police in Bridgeport. His registration was triggered by his Aug. 7, 1992 conviction on a charge of fourth-degree sexual assault, police said.

DeGray’s bail was set at $200,000. He is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Enfield Thursday

An Evansdale man who is a registered sex offender has been arrested on federal child pornography and weapons charges.

Michael Sampson Jr. was charged by federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

The 37 year old faces two counts of transportation of child pornography, and one count each of possession of child porn and felon in possession of a firearm.

Sampson was already on sex offender registries in Iowa and Illinois in connection with a 2003 incident which led to charges for indecent solicitation of a child. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation, 60 days in jail and ordered to take a sex offender evaluation.

An Evansdale man who is a registered sex offender has been arrested on federal child pornography and weapons charges.

Michael Sampson Jr. was charged by federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

The 37 year old faces two counts of transportation of child pornography, and one count each of possession of child porn and felon in possession of a firearm.

Sampson was already on sex offender registries in Iowa and Illinois in connection with a 2003 incident which led to charges for indecent solicitation of a child. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation, 60 days in jail and ordered to take a sex offender evaluation.